A new study in “Biology Letters” found that the average home has over 100 different varieties of bugs and that includes ants, spiders, flies, and more. That’s a lot of bugs! There are ways to prevent a bug infestation.
Here are 10 proven ways to keep bugs from invading your home:
- Home Maintenance
- Natural Bug Preventative Remedies
- Routine Pest Control
- Food Storage
- Bug-Proofing Entry Points
- Screen Doors and Windows
- Use Dehumidifiers
- Trash Disposal
- Yard Insect Prevention
10.) No Standing Water
1.) Home Maintenance
This might seem like an obvious suggestion but it bears mentioning. Cleanliness is the first step to barring unwanted household pests. We suggest dusting high corners of rooms and clearing cluttered spaces at least once a week – if not every day. Certain spiders like Brown Recluses enjoy dark, cramped spaces like attics, shoe boxes, and closets.
Vacuum the carpets and dust high places where cobwebs form. It’s also important to reach cramped corners behind furniture and places commonly left untouched like under your bed. Cleaning sheets and pillowcases will also prevent bed bugs from visiting.
If you struggle with regular home maintenance we suggest ordering an automatic vacuum or using a cleaning service.
2.) Natural Bug Preventative Remedies
Regular bug repellents contain pesticides that, if used incorrectly, are harmful to pets and humans. Natural alternatives can be just as effective at insect prevention without the threat to your health.
Spiders, ticks, cockroaches, moths, flies, fleas, and ants all dislike the following scents:
- Peppermint oil
- Thyme
- Basil
- Rosemary
You can apply these oils to the entryways of your home or pop them in a diffuser for maximum bug repelling.
Vinegar is another natural remedy due to its acidic nature. Prevent gnats from festering in your sink and pour vinegar down the drain nightly. This will prevent gnats from flying and eventually exterminate them.
3.) Routine Pest Control
Sometimes you need a professional to combat those nasty neighborhood pests. Pest control services recommend a minimum of 4 visits a year. That’s every 3 months. A professional will spray the perimeter of the property as well as the foundation of the house.
This can decrease mosquitoes for the summer months or even prevent cockroaches if you live near heavily wooded areas. General Pest Control are professionals trained to use pesticides and they know where different pests commonly hide. Plus, hiring them can be a safer option than fogging the property yourself.
4.) Food Storage
Leaving food open for extended periods can attract bugs into your home. If you have pets make sure to keep dried food sealed away in airtight containers rather than just securing it closed with a clip. Pouring the food into a larger, sealable container will prevent ants and cockroaches from crawling into it.
This applies to human food as well like cereal, granola, flour, other baking essentials, and oatmeal.
5.) Bug-Proofing Entry Points
As well as placing essential oils or spraying repellent at your home’s entry points it’s also beneficial to use caulk. Caulking door and window frames act as an added barrier to bugs; door sweeps are also convenient barriers.
6.) Screen Windows and Doors
Fine mesh screens should be installed on doors and windows that are regularly opened. The finer the mesh, the least amount of bugs are able to sneak through. However, some bugs will try to eat through the material (ie. grasshoppers, crickets, and wasps) and there are two DIY pest control methods to remedy that.
- Treat your screens with either a natural repellant like citronella or a chemical bug spray. Make sure to coat the edges and frame as well.
- Invest in a metal mesh screen rather than the popular plastic ones.
7.) Use Dehumidifiers
A host of bugs thrive in humid environments and to prevent them from thriving in your basements and bathrooms place a dehumidifier in each room.
8.) Trash Disposal
Do not let full trash sit or overflow. Too much garbage and debris is a haven for rodents as well as insects. Place trash bags in a can that has a securable lid and place them at the curb for regular garbage pickup days.
9.) Yard Insect Prevention
An overgrown lawn and garden is a bridge directly to your house. Bugs are not picky about where they land next so give them a reason to turn back. Trim your yard to a manageable length for effective insect prevention.
10.) No Standing Water
One of the best pest prevention tips is to never leave water sitting outside for a prolonged period. This applies to an uncovered pool, a pet’s water bowl, and plumbing leaks. All of these things should be covered, brought indoors, or fixed before they attract pests.
Of course, in the summer months standing water is more of an issue than during the colder months but it’s still great to keep in mind.
These 10 proven tips will help keep your home free from bug invaders.